‘Fat Sells’ itself to HBO

Forest Whitaker attached to drama pilot

HBO is developing “Fat Sells,” a drama project set in the world of the $46 billion herbal weight loss industry.

Forest Whitaker is attached to exec produce, along with 25/7 topper Dave Broome.

Project will center on the head of a weight loss behemoth (and his family) and how his life starts to unravel when the FDA begins investigating the company’s claims.

Broome, who created the show with scribe Gren Wells, knows a thing or two about the world of weight loss, having served as an exec producer on “The Biggest Loser.”

“It’s the magic pill theory,” Broome said. “As a society, we don’t care what the side effects are to these pills. I thought it would be an interesting world to look into, the fact that it’s a market unregulated by the FDA.”

Wells, who also has “Earthbound” set up at the Film Department and “Southern Comfort” at Walt Disney Studios, will pen the pilot and serve as co-exec producer.

Whitaker, who could potentially direct the pilot, will next be seen in the upcoming Weinstein Co. pic “Hurricane Season.” He’s also developing a Showtime project about the rise of African-American organized crime in the 1970s, as well as an FX show about arms dealers.